John eansfobd



( No Model.)

J. IRANSIPORD. FEEDER Eo-R THRASHING MAOHINES.

No. 244,144. Patented July 12,1881,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JoHNRANsFoRD, OF srocKron, CALIFORNIA.

FEEDER FOR THRASHlNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,144, dated July 12, 1881.

Application filed MillOh 2c, 1881'. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J OHN RANSFORD, of Stockton, county of San Joaquin, State of California, have invented an Improved Feeder for Thrashing-Maehines; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the feeding device which supplies unthrashed straw to the cylinder of thrashingmaehines; and it consists in a series of notched inclined feeding timbers or arms placed side by side, and operated by an eccentric or crank to give them a reciprocating motion, each arm being provided with peculiarly-constructed flanging forks, the upper ends of which push forward the mass of straw above, while the -lower ends push that below and keep the spaces between the reciprocating arms clear.

It further relates to certain devices, all of which will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the feeding-arms and guides. Fig. 4 shows the flaps.

Let A represent the frame-timbers of the device, having a transverse back board, B, from the lower end of which extends forwardly and inclined downwardly the feeding-floor 0, secured in the frame-timbers A. 1

The back board, B, is provided with vertical slots at, through which extend the inclined notched feeding-arms D. I have here shown four in number, though they need not be so limited. They have their lower edges provided with slightly-projectin g flanges, which slide in grooved plates or guides E, said guides being upon and followingthe inclination of the floorpiece 0, and extending rearwardly through These feeding-arms D are connected the pitmen K, the forward ends of which are forked and secured to the arms D, each pitman being here shown as operating two of said arms. The cranks J are so placed as to transmit a reciprocating motion to the arms D, and are not at right angles to-each other, in order to prevent any dead-point in the motion.

L represents a transverse rod, serving as a brace for the timbers A.

M represents the picker-shaft, having the twisted curved links or loops N for pickers. The shaft is journaled upon the frame of the device, just over the ends of the reciprocating arms D, and receives its motion from the pulley 0, connected in any appropriate manner with the driving-power.

The inclined floor U and the supportingbeam F are so secured to the side timbers, A, by nuts and bolts as to be easily removable, to allow the reciprocating arms D to be taken out,which can be done by drawin g them through the slots a.

The rear ends of the arms D are provided with a series of holes, 0, in which the pitman K may be bolted at any point to adjust the illelination of the said arms D, to fit the device for different thrashing-machines. As a consequence, the inclination of the floor 0 and support F must be raised and lowered. This can be done in any practicable way, as by pivoting them at their centers and turning them to the proper inclination.

The sides of the slots a may be provided with guards or flaps I), made of any flexible material, such as leather, rubber, &c., which, while not obstructing the free passage of the arms D, will prevent them from carrying back through the slots any grain or straw.

The position of this device with regard to the thrashing-cylinder must be determined by convenience. Generally, of course, it should be attached to the thrashing-machine, so that its reciprocating arms D would feed the straw down to the front of the cylinder; but whether on top or toward its lower part must be decided by circumstances.

The notched armsD are preferably narrowed toward their forward ends, thus giving a greater inclination above than below. This is advantageous, because the greater part of the straw rests on top.

A description of the operation of this feed ing device will give a better understanding, both of its object and of its advantage.

Being connected with the thrashing-machine and receiving its motive power therefrom the reciprocating arms D, with their double forks G, are driven forth and back through the slots a and upon the inclined feeding-floor O. The unthrashed straw is fed to the device upon the reciprocatingarms D in front of the back board,

13. It is caught by said arms D and pushed down the incline to the cylinder, the upper ends of the curved forks G catching the mass of straw above, while the lower ends push along that which is below, and thus keep the spaces between the arms clear. The flaring ends of the forks insure their better operation in catching the straw. The pickers N, being made broad, press down the straw and assist in the operation of delivering it to the cylinder with regularity.

I am aware that the use of reciprocating notched inclined feeder-arms traveling over inclined floors for feeding unthrashed straw to the thrashing-cylinder, is not new, and that prongs and forks have been attached thereto. I do not therefore claim such, broadly; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a feeding device for delivering unthrashed straw to the cylinder of the thrash ing-machine, the combination of the notched reciprocating arms D and the curved doublepronged forks G, secured to said arms on each side, one prong extending forward and outward above and the other end extending similarly below, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. In combination with the reciprocating feeding-arms D and double-pronged flaring JOHN RANSFORD.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. STRONG, J. A. HOSM'ER. 

